Morality

Birth-control must be regarded as legitimate in certain cases

Many Protestant Churches teach that Christians are allowed to practice birth control, that is, Christians can limit children or even decide not to have children, using various methods of birth control. I would like to point out that when I speak of various methods of birth control I refer to those birth control methods that function to hinder conception (such as the condom, vaginal foams, creams, and suppositories, diaphragm, the rhythm method, etc.) as well as to those methods of birth control which destroy a fertilized egg (such as the pill and abortion). In addition to this, I would like to point out that not all the Churches which allow birth control approve those methods which destroy a fertilized egg. For instance, the Assemblies of God (U.S.A.), which is in favour of birth control, rejects ‘any birth control method that functions to destroy a fertilized egg, rather than actually preventing conception.’

Confutation

God at the beginning said to man and woman: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth …..” (Genesis 1:28 – NKJV). Therefore birth-control is contrary to the will of God for husband and wife. Every attempt to hinder conception is a sin. No matter if husband and wife use ‘natural’ or ‘unnatural’ methods to hinder conception, what they do opposes the will of God for them.

Paul said to Timothy that women will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love and holiness, with self-control (cf. 1 Timothy 2:15), confirming thus that it is the will of God that the woman should bear children. Obviously she will bear as many children as God has decided to give to her and her husband.

Some Christians affirm that they are afraid to have many children for they are afraid they might not be able to provide for their future. However this fear is of the devil for he who has put his trust in God believes that God will take care of all the children God gives to him, keeping them and meeting all their needs. If not one sparrow is forgotten before God, how can God forget the children He gives to a married couple who fears His name? If God provides food for the raven when its young ones cry to God, if He hunts the prey for the lion, how much more will He provide food for His children who trust in Him!

I conclude by quoting the following words written in the book of Psalms: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5 – NKJV), so that you may understand how precious are children.

So I urge all Christian married couples to have children.

Back